This was a target begging to be attacked, and it is a matter of wonder that it has not been struck before. Although the area is closely guarded and there are walk-through portals, it is a place where both military and civilian are in close proximity regularly. The attack was claimed by three possible culprits, all spin-offs from the fragmentation of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in recent months. It underlines yet again, the powerlessness of the state when it comes to crafting and implementing an alternative narrative to that of galloping extremism. And with the dreadful spectre of the Islamic State making its presence felt in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa through pamphlets, there is now a plethora of non-state actors who are well motivated, in many cases well trained and funded, and all bent on the overthrow of the state by violent means. Operation Zarb-e-Azb, in purely military terms, may be going well, but in isolation, it may be acting as a magnifier for extremist thoughts and tendencies. The operation has created a well of anger and resentment among certain elements that is not going to dissipate quickly. When you dispossess a million people and deprive them of their homes and livelihoods on an open-ended basis, the social compact between the people and the state disappears quickly. And extremism likes nothing better than pushing at an open door.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2014.
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Critical questions need to be asked if solutions are genuinely desired, shying away from it is pointless. The first question is who decided to raise, train, fund and shelter these snakes or monsters. Should they not be held responsible with toying with the lives of citizens, were there any gains to offset these losses, At least start with the first question before going on to ask more relevant and urgent ones. The answers will reveal whether the dangers to Pakistan are internal or external.
It takes a long time before it'll get better. PPP is at fault here. After 2-3 years NS is at fault. Also attacks and deaths are down 50% since NS took office.